Page 26 - Masala Lite Issue 168 December 2024

MERRY

Christmas trees and
mistletoe – yes or no?
Community members chime in.
WITH ME! BY AMORNRAT SIDHU

SIMREN BHARARA
(NARISA SINGHNARULA)
Secondary School English Teacher

Embracing the Holiday Cheer
For me, Christmas is all about meaningful
he meaning, or shall I say, the ‘feeling’ of Christmas, get-togethers, each with its own festive
has changed over the years, luring all in with theme. On Christmas Day, we spend
Thailand’s commitment to the brightest lights, iconic time with family, gathering around a
trees, classic carols, and reds and greens. Regardless of beautifully-decorated tree with presents
your faith, it’s become all-encompassing, seeping its way piled underneath. It’s a day filled with

into the Thai-Indian community more and more. How do love, laughter and tradition. We enjoy
Thai-Indians get into the festive spirit? a full Christmas dinner with turkey and
We asked a few to chime (and jingle) in. all the trimmings – a proper British
Christmas! Watching The King’s Speech
(the annual address to the UK by their
monarch) has become a cherished part of
the day, and the excitement is infectious,
especially for the children.
SUKHMANI EUANANRAK In the run-up to Christmas, we love
Assistant Production Manager,

Unifine Creations Co., Ltd. taking our son to see Santa’s Grotto,
admiring the dazzling Christmas lights
and decorations that brighten up London.
With colleagues, we keep the festive
Getting into the Festive Spirit
spirit alive by having a Christmas dinner
Christmas is one of my favourite festive at a cosy pub, complete with a turkey
seasons. It’s the season of spreading roast menu, and exchanging ‘Secret
joy, bringing in positive vibes, and Santa’ gifts. When it’s time to celebrate
welcoming the end-of-year holidays. with friends, we organise a big Christmas
I put up a Christmas tree at home lunch where everyone wears their best
and decorate it the way I want. I get Christmas jumpers. Gifts for the kids
dressed up in holiday colours and put are exchanged.
on Christmas music, and try to enjoy
Staying Grounded at Christmas
the festive season with my family.
Living in the UK, a predominantly-Christian country, we embrace Christmas as a
I Won’t Cross This Line
widely-celebrated holiday. For us, the focus is less on the material value of gifts and
Everyone has their own way of getting more on appreciation and togetherness. While Christmas has undeniably become a
into the festive spirit. The holiday has commercialised season, we take it at face value, cherishing the opportunity to spend
become so commercialised that there quality time with loved ones on this national public holiday.
can be societal pressure amongst kids,
Thai Christmas vs. British Christmas
or even parents, to participate in a

host of activities that one might not Growing up in Thailand, Christmas looked quite different. Turkeys weren’t easy to
be comfortable with. Yet, the key word is come by, so we never had the traditional full Christmas dinner. Though Christmas
‘comfort.’ It is okay to have limitations on is not a public holiday there, it is still celebrated in a commercial sense. We would
what is celebrated and what is not, and decorate a small tree at home, exchange gifts, and enjoy Secret Santa with friends.
everyone should respect each other’s However, festive pub meals – so quintessentially British – weren’t really a part of the
wishes on how they want to celebrate. Thai Christmas experience.
The holiday season should not be spoiled
Now, living in England, I love embracing the traditional British Christmas with all
for anyone.
its customs, but I also cherish the unique ways we celebrated back in Thailand. Each
Nani and I View Santa Differently adds its own special layer to the festive season.

Hailing from the Sikh community, I was
always told that we should not be celebrating Christmas as it is not a part of our
culture. Additionally, Christmas also falls during the martyrdom days of our Four
Sahibzaades and other Sikh martyrs. Many elders believe that the celebration of
Christmas overpowers an important milestone in our very own history.
My personal belief, whilst keeping aside the religious aspect with utmost respect, is

that I wanted to fill the festive season with positive vibes around me and bring in joy

and warmth for myself and my family. Being someone who loves to explore different
cultures, I wanted to embrace the fun and secular aspect of the festive spirit. I have
convinced my family to get a small Christmas tree at home, and we use Christmas
as an excuse to have a special dinner or a get-together.

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 168 - DECEMBER 2024